Metal umbrella



July 8, 1969 A. C. FERGUSON METAL UMBRELLA sneet L or2 Filed Nov. 13, 1967 INVENTOR ALBERT C. FERGUSON ATTORNEY J ly 8, 1959 c. FERGUSON 3,454,022

METAL UMBRELLA Filed Nov. 13. 1967 Sheet 2 of 2 i5 INVENTOR ALBERT c. FERGUSON BY 6W ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,454,022 METAL UMBRELLA Albert Clinton Ferguson, P.O. Box 6271, Jacksonville, Fla. 32205 Filed Nov. 13, 1967, Ser. No. 682,160 Int. Cl. A45b 11/00 US. Cl. 13520 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A metal umbrella wherein the top is constructed of a plurality of thin sheet metal segments firmly secured together and to the post supporting the top to provide a rigid structure which may be easily carried from place to place and wherein the free edge of the metal segments are protected to prevent injury when handling the umbrella.

The invention relates to metal umbrellas particularly designed for use as a lawn or patio umbrella.

It is any object of the invention to provide a metal umbrella wherein the top is formed of a plurality of segments of very thin metal, the segments being secured together and to the post supporting the top, to provide a rigid structure.

A further object of the invention resides in protecting the free edges of the thin metal segments forming the top to prevent injury to the person when handling the same.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent during the course of the following specifications:

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification,

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of the umbrella,

FIG. 2 is a section taken on line 22 of FIG. 1,

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary perspective view of the supporting member for the braces,

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken on line 4--4 of FIG. 2,

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the clamping means, for attaching the segments of the top to the post with the parts in separate relation,

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the structure of the outer ends of the segments of the top, and,

FIG. 7 is a section taken on line 7-7 of FIG. 6.

Referring to the drawings, the numeral 5 denotes the top of the umbrella which, as shown, is circular in shape. The top is formed of a plurality of segments 6 formed of thin sheet metal which are tapered so their outer ends are wider than the inner ends. The longitudinal edges of the segments are bent downwardly to form depending flanges 7 and 8, with the flange 8 of greater width and reversely bent, as at 9, to form a groove 10 along one side of the segment adapted to receive the flange 7 of an ad jacent segment to establish a fixed connection and tight joint between the segments. The flanges 7 and 8 adjacent their outer ends are notched, as at 11, to permit the outer end of each segment to be bent downwardly to form a valance 12. The perimeter of the valance is covered by a U-shape plastic strip 13 extending around the circumference of the top. A U-shape clip 14 bridges the notch of the flanges 7 and 8 and is secured thereto by bolts 15. The clip extends to the edge of the valance and has an extension 16 which is bent around the plastic strip 13 to hold the plastic strip in engagement with the edge of the valance.

The inner ends of the segments 6 terminate short of the apex of the top to form a circular opening to receive the upper end of a tubular post 17. A collar 18 is slidably mounted on the upper end of the post and is held in adjusted position by set screws 19. A conical disk 20 is 3,454,022 Patented July 8, 1969 supported by the collar 18 and extends over the inner ends of the segments. A sleeve 21 is mounted on the post below the collar 18 and is fixedly secured to the post by bolts 22. A series of spokes 23 radiate outwardly and upwardly from the sleeve 21, there being one spoke for each alternate segment, with the upper end of the spoke bent to engage and support the underside of the segment. A nut 24 is threaded on the upper end of the post above the disk 20 and serves to force the disk into firm engagement with the upper side of the segments and firmly secure the segments between the disk and spokes. A conical plastic cap 25 covers the upper end of the post and is held in place by a depending plug 26 which is inserted in the upper end of the post.

Mounted on the post 17 beneath the sleeve 21 is a second sleeve 27 secured to the post by screws 28. The sleeve 27 has a series of radiating arms 29 around its upper edge for attaching the inner ends of brace rods 30 which are attached to the arms by bolts 31, the joint between the rods and arms being covered by a slidable plastic sleeve 32. The brace rods extend outwardly and upwardly from the post with their outer ends bent up wardly and bifurcated, as at 33, to fit over the flanges of the segments to which they are secured by bolts 34.

In use the umbrella is light in weight so it may be easily moved from place to place and yet is rigid in construction and may be handled without danger of being cut by the metal.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. An umbrella comprising a plurality of thin sheet metal segments radially disposed with their longitudinal edges in abutting relation to form a circular top, said segments having their outer ends bent downwardly to form a valance, a post extending through the center of said top, a series of spokes radiating from said post beneath the top with their outer ends in engagement with the underside of said segments adjacent their inner ends, means on said post for holding said segments in firm engagement with said spokes, a plastic strip covering the perimeter of said valance and means for holding said plastic strip in firm engagement with the valance.

2. An umbrella as described in claim 1 wherein said last mentioned means are clips attached to the underside of said top having an extension bent around said plastic strip to hold the strip in place.

3. An umbrella as described in claim 1 wherein the longitudinal edges of said segments have downwardly turned interfitting flanges and said last mentioned means are U-shape clips straddling said flanges adjacent the perimeter of the top, said clips having extensions bent around said plastic strip to hold the strip in place.

4. An umbrella as described in claim 3 including brace rods extending from said post having bifurcated outer ends straddling the flanges of said segments.

-5. An umbrella as described in claim 1 wherein said first mentioned means is a conical disk slidably mounted on said post, and a nut is threaded on said post for pressing said disk into engagement with said segments.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,466,595 4/1949 Korman 52.73 3,040,478 6/ 1962 Ferguson 5273 3,345,786 10/1967 Buzzella et al. -1--. 52-73 3,371,447 3/1968 Ruff et al 49462 XR KENNETH DOWNEY, Primary Examiner.

U.S. Cl. X.R. 52 -73 

